Here it is! Sorry it took so long. School is so stressful. I'm so glad I'll be a senior next year! Finally. But, tell me what you think.(: Your reviews have kept this story alive.
Harlie's body shook with fear as the sound of the ring echoed back into her ear. She kept her eyes locked with Happy's, only blinking when she truly needed to. "H-He.. He didn't answer." She mumbled.
"Try him again." Jimmy pressed the gun harder against her head. He knew what he wanted. This was too easy. This club was going to crumble under his hand all because of a sixteen year old girl. Oh, well. Leverage was leverage.
"He won't answer.." Harlie gripped the table so tight her knuckles were white. She felt the intense feeling of fear kick in. She felt the butt of the gun hit her in the mouth. She could taste the blood pooling inside her mouth.
"Son on a bitch!" Happy growled, freeing himself from the hold of Jimmy's bodyguards. No one was gonna lay a fucking hand on her. No one. Happy reached for his gun, but was too late.
Harlie watched in horror as Jimmy turned the gun towards Happy, aiming for his head. Happy tried to dodge the bullet, but it caught him in the side. She flew away from Jimmy, instantly at Happy's side "No, no, no.."
Chibs kneeled beside her quickly, unzipping his jacket. He pressed it down on Happy's side. "Put pressure there, darlin', and don't let go."
Harlie did as he said, holding on for dear life. She could feel the blood seeping through the thin cotton. "You're gonna be okay.." She whispered, trying to calm down. It was another one of those moments where everything was a blur. It was all moving so fast. She could feel her heart beating through her chest. Everything started to spin slowly. She could hear Chibs faintly talking on the phone in the background.
"Clay, we have a situation.." She heard him mumble, looking between Harlie and Happy.
When she listened, she could hear her father on the other end. "Where the hell are you guys?"
She focused back in on Happy. "Babe.." He touched her hand, wincing as he moved slightly. "I-I'm fine.. Shit." So many things hit Harlie at once. How was Clay gonna react? Was Happy going to be alright? What was Clay going to do to Happy? To her?
Harlie could hear the rumble of the bikes and the van as the guys made their way to the secret location. Her breathing began to pick up when Jimmy grabbed her by her arm roughly and hauled her out the door. He kept the gun pressed to back of her head with a sick smile on his face.
"Harlie?" Clay practically jumped off his bike. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Dad.." Harlie choked out, feeling Jimmy's hands tighten around her arm. "Happy.."
"I found out a secret ya might like to know." Jimmy laughed. "But why don't we take this inside.. I don't need all the noise bringin' anyone else around."
Clay pulled a Glock from the inside of his cut. "You better watch your steps, Jimmy. You lay a hand on her and this business agreement we got is out the fucking' door." He took a few steps toward Jimmy, placing the gun at his head.
"Alright, alright.." Jimmy slowly lowered the gun, shoving Harlie in Clay's direction.
"Get in the van." Clay wiped the blood from her lip. "Go."
"I can't.." She looked up at him with a pleading look in her eyes. "This is my fault."
"Just fuckin' go!" Clay yelled, stepping up in her face.
"Happy got shot!" Harlie shoved his chest. "Because of me.."
"What do you mean because of you?" Clay finally caught on to her words. "You mean to tell me you were fucking him?" He seethed. Harlie could see the anger boiling up inside him. It always scared her when he was angry.
"So, I'm guessin' the secret's out?" The smile on Jimmy's face grew. This was everything he wanted.
Clay raised his fist over Harlie. She cowered beneath him when Opie grabbed Clay's shoulder. "We got more important things to worry about, Clay."
Clay jerked away from Opie's grip and grabbed Harlie by the arms. "What the hell were you thinking?" He shouted.
Jax rushed over to them. "Clay!" He and Opie both had to pull Clay away from her. "Harlie, get in the van.." He brushed his hand against her cheek. "It's gonna be alright.. Ope, go with her. We got this.." He motioned for Tig as they headed inside the building.
Opie scooped Harlie up into his arms. "Are you alright?" He asked.
Harlie nodded, her body still shaking.. "Happy.. He got shot.." She whispered. "Please, please don't let him die.."
"Nothing's gonna happen, Harlie. He's gonna be fine." Opie soothed, lifting her into the back of the van with Juice.
"Nothing can happen to him.. Nothing." Harlie hugged her knees to her chest, holding his hoodie tight around her body. His scent was so comforting.
"Now, wanna tell me what the hell you were doing here?" Opie asked, lighting a cigarette. "And why you thought fucking Happy was a good idea?"
"You don't understand, alright?" Harlie said quietly.
"Explain it to me. It's for your own good." Opie said sternly. "You think I'm okay with seeing my seventeen year old niece with someone like Happy?"
"He cares about me." He does, right? Harlie thought.
"He doesn't care about anyone." Opie sighed. "I'm just trying to keep you from getting hurt."
"How well did that work out?" Harlie yelled. "Why do you think I want someone like Happy? I want him because he will keep me safe! He wouldn't let me get raped.."
Harlie looked around the waiting room of St. Thomas, the bright lights burning her eyes. Beside her sat Krys and Piney. She could faintly feel Krys's hand squeezing her leg, telling her he would be okay. It had been three hours and they still knew nothing. She really hated the smell of hospitals. The smell of the cleaners and antiseptics brought back bad memories. In her head, she saw Weston dead on the floor; the blood pouring from his stomach. The smell burned her nose and turned her stomach all at the same time.
From down the hall she could hear the sound of boots and silently hoped it wasn't Clay. "Hey, kid.." Kozik. She sighed in relief, wrapping her arms around him. "Is he alright?"
"We dunno.." Krys frowned. "They should be out soon. Sit down."
Kozik nodded, taking a seat beside Krys. Harlie could tell by the look on Kozik's face he was worried. She didn't see that look a lot. "Harlie, we gotta talk.." He leaned in close.
"About what?" She asked quietly, hesitantly looking up at him.
"Now, I don't know exactly what Clay is gonna do, but if you ever need a place to stay.." He didn't finish the sentence, he didn't have to.
"What about Hap? What's gonna happen to him?" She whispered.
"I don't know, but since he's already wounded a fight is out of the question. I know Quinn would be willing to take him back." Kozik slid his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him.
"Wait and talk about that shit later." Piney grumbled, pointing at Tara making her way down the hall toward them.
Harlie glanced up at her, expecting to hear the worst. "I-Is he okay?"
"He's fine. The bullet was lodged in his side, but it was removed successfully." Tara looked at the nasty split on Harlie's bottom lip. "That need stitches.." She frowned.
"I'm not worried about it." Harlie touched the place gently. She had forgotten it was there.
"Harlie.." Krys touched her arm. "Let her take a look at it."
"Mom, I'm fine.." Harlie snapped, not meaning to.
Krys shifted in her seat. "I'm gonna go call Clay." She walked out of the room, through the double doors under the EXIT sign.
"Can I see him?" Harlie asked hopefully.
"He's still asleep so not for long," Tara said. "I'll take you to his room."
"I'll wait for you.." Kozik touched Harlie's arm gently.
"You okay?" Tara asked as they got a little further down the hall.
"I'm scared.." Harlie admitted, stepping onto the elevator.
"For you? Or for him?" Tara pushed Harlie's hair behind her ear.
"Both." She said truthfully. "He could get stripped for this. He'd be kicked out and left on his own."
"He knew that when you two started seeing each other, but that didn't change anything, did it?" Tara was right. They both knew the risks, but it never mattered.
Harlie nodded, staying silent. She didn't even notice the elevator had stopped until Tara touched her arm. "He's just right down the hall. Room 201."
"Thank you, Tara." Harlie kissed her cheek. "I owe you.."
"You don't owe me anything.." Tara smiled. "Just promise me you'll be okay."
"I'll be fine.." She took a left from the elevator, coming to face room 201. She reached for the doorknob as her hands shook. She made her way inside, taking a seat by his bed.
He looked so peaceful sleeping. She ran her hand down his arm, squeezing his hand. "Hap?" Why was she talking to him? He was still asleep. "I.. I love you.." She whispered in his ear, kissing his cheek. She leaned her head on his chest, closing her eyes. She wished today was a nightmare. She wanted to wake up in his arms and for things to be normal. His heartbeat was a soothing sound.
Happy's eyelids flickered when he felt someone on touch his arm. When he heard the voice, he knew it was Harlie. What was she doing here? Then the words registered in his head. I-I love you. He had been avoiding those words for almost three months now. He couldn't deny that he cared for her and he would kill for her, but he had never loved anyone. Goddamnit.
"Harlie.." He groaned, realizing how groggy he really was. His vision was incredibly blurred to the point he could barely make out her figure.
"Hey.." Harlie said quietly, running her fingertips across his cheek. He tried to sit up, but she stopped him. "Don't try to sit up. We don't need you ripping your stitches."
"Why are you here?" The words cut through her like a knife.
"I was worried.. This is my fault." Harlie mumbled.
"It's not your fault.." Happy whispered. "You shouldn't be here."
"Says who?" Harlie felt a tear slide down her cheek. Why was he acting like this?
"Does Clay know you're here?" Happy closed his eyes again. He didn't need to be in anymore trouble and neither did she.
"No.." Harlie let go of his hand, leaning back in her chair. She leaned her head back and tried to hold down her tears.
"You should go.." Happy said after a few minutes of silence. "Damnit, I have to piss."
"Here, let me help.." Harlie pressed the nurse button and walked out of the room. She was stupid enough to believe that he would fight for her. Even through this. Even when he was lying wounded in a hospital bed. All she was to him was a thrill. Nothing more. She couldn't tell whether she was more hurt or angry. All the fight in her was gone. Clay could do what he wanted. Maybe it would be better if he left anyway.
The moment Harlie left the room, she slid to the floor and hugged her knees close. She felt the burning hot tears slide down her cheeks one by one.
"Are you alright, sweetheart?" One of the nurses kneeled in front of her.
Harlie nodded. "I'm fine.."
"Here, let me help you up.." She extended her hand, smiling.
"I-I'll be fine, I just need a minute." Harlie thought for a minute. "Have you seen Dr. Knowles?"
"She just got called into surgery; it'll be about two hours before she is out." The nurse told her.
"O-Okay, thank you.." Harlie slowly pulled herself up.
"Are you family?" The nurse asked.
"Of who?" Harlie felt stupid after asking. She knew the nurse meant Happy.
"James Marcos." The nurse read off his chart.
"O-Oh, no." Harlie answered.
"I saw you coming out of his room.." The nurse frowned. "Visiting is only allowed for family."
"Wrong room." Harlie lied, walking off.
"How long have you known about this!" Clay yelled, following his wife down the hall into their bedroom. He couldn't even begin to explain how pissed he was. He wanted more for his daughter.
"It doesn't matter!" Krys whirled around to face Clay.
"Bullshit it doesn't matter! The bastard is fucking my daughter. That is sick." Clay growled.
"She's our daughter." Krys reminded him. "What the hell do I say to her? Look at us! I'm 40 and you're 60! I was 19 when we got together. Now tell me, what do I say to her?"
"You tell her this shit isn't going to happen! Not in my fucking club!" Clay grabbed her arm roughly, jerking her to him.
Krys narrowed her eyes. "Lay your fucking hands on me, I dare you." She spit in his face. "Now, let me go."
Clay wiped his cheek clean before shoving her away. He walked out of the bedroom, slamming the door behind him.
Harlie was sitting at the picnic table outside the clubhouse. She had her head down, resting on her arms. She lifted her head quickly when she heard the sound of a bike pulling into the parking lot. She felt the feeling of panic set in when she saw Clay. She looked over at him, but looked away quickly.
"Me and you gotta talk." Clay grabbed her by the arm, dragging her inside.
"Ow! Get off!" Harlie shouted, trying to jerk away from him as he slung her down in one of the chairs.
"You listen to me, you little bitch." He knew he would regret saying that later. "This shit isn't happening. No fucking way!" He flipped the small table in front of them.
"Don't worry, it's not going to." Harlie looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen. "I'm leaving."
"What the fuck do you mean you're leaving? You're seventeen years old." He stopped, looking down at her.
"I'm moving to Tacoma." She stood and walked out of the clubhouse. She grabbed her phone out of her pocket, calling Kozik.
"Hey, kid. You okay?"
"Koz, I think I'm taking you up on your offer." This was it. She was done with Charming.